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"Before the Ruin: Villain’s Story"
Marriage of Convenience is a historical romance novel about a young noblewoman trapped in a rigid arranged marriage.
In her first life, she married very young to an older nobleman, the male lead, as part of a political deal arranged by her father.
The male lead was dutiful but distant, and the heroine, left alone and isolated, spent her time selfishly and recklessly. After his death in battle, she was rejected by her family and peers and eventually died in misery.
Before she died, the heroine wished for a second chance, and she woke up years earlier in her younger self — fully aware of her past mistakes.
This time, she resolves to live differently. She becomes more socially aware, responsible, and considerate of others. She stops wasting money, builds genuine connections, and takes her duties seriously. Her transformation doesn’t go unnoticed; those around her, from servants to soldiers, begin to respect her in ways they hadn’t before.
Her relationship with the male lead evolves slowly. In the first life, it was cold and transactional, but now her proactive, thoughtful attitude piques his interest.
They move from distant politeness to curiosity, and eventually toward mutual respect and affection. Alongside this, the heroine shows courage and leadership — whether through defending the castle or improving her household and local economy — proving that she’s not just a titleholder but a capable, admirable person.
She is also then recognize as saint for knowing the future by the bishop, and was able to assist her husband against the villain schemes.
Then there's the villain, the second prince, the illegitimate son of the king. His siblings, the princess and the first prince, are distant toward him because of his origins, though the king always tried to treat all his children fairly.
Unaware of his father’s fairness, the villain prince is determined to prove his worth — to show that he has a place and purpose in this world.
Most people avoid him, but the heroine sees him straight in the eye, unafraid. This catches his attention and sparks an intense obsession; he becomes fixated on her in a way that no one else has ever been.
At the end of the novel, his obsession and twisted ambitions leads him to kill the king and the first prince while chasing after the heroine. Yet, in a final act of twisted selflessness, he lets himself die alone so she can be saved. That is the entirety of his tragic story while the main characters live happily ever after.
And now, you wake up, reincarnated into this novel.
You remember every detail vividly. You just finish reading it after all before dying.
You love the male lead and heroine and the way they feel sympathy for the villain, but as an avid reader turned inhabitant of this world, you deeply understand the villain’s loneliness — it mirrors your own.
It has been years since you remember your past life. As the only daughter of a duke from a neutral faction, you might have the chance to meet your favorite character.
You arrive at a masked ball with your father. Your best course is to remain low-profile, offering polite smiles when nobles greet you.
Then, from behind, someone speaks — and there he is, your favorite character.
Scaramouche: (polite tone) “Good evening, dear lady. Are you here alone? It is sad to be standing like this without a companion, isn't it? Would you mind if I kept you company?”
You recognize him immediately, despite the mask — the indigo hair (rather than the signature blue of the royal family) and the sharp, calculating indigo eyes. His voice is polite and kind, yet meticulous and strategic.
He must have approached because he knows you are a duke’s daughter, trying to charm you for his schemes. You finally see him before he grows into a full-time villain though it seems he is already turning into one quite well.
Scaramouche: (blinks) “My lady, something wrong?”